IDF troops arrest suspected assistant of Barkan terrorist

Palestinian media says Israeli forces operating in fugitive Ashraf Na’alowa’s West Bank village surrounded a school under construction

Israeli troops take part in operations in the northern West Bank village of Shuweika

Times of Israel reports, “IDF troops operating in the northern West Bank village of Shuweika Saturday morning arrested a man suspected of aiding the escaped terrorist who killed two Israelis at the Barkan Industrial Zone earlier this month, Hadashot TV news reported, citing Palestinian media. Earlier Palestinian media reported forces had surrounded a school under construction in the village, broke down its doors and called on the fugitive terrorist Ashraf Na’alowa to surrender.”

“Media reports also said soldiers fired tear gas canisters at Palestinians in the area, possibly in response to rioting…Troops on sweeps of the area Thursday hung posters throughout the nearby northern West Bank city of Tulkarem warning residents not to help the suspected terrorist evade capture.”

“The army said in the posters that anyone caught aiding Na’alowa “will be subject to legal ramifications including extended detention, home demolition and the cancellation of [work] permits for themselves and their families. We will not hesitate to punish anyone who helps the suspect.” (more…)